Contemporary Tamil Nadu
After Jayalalithaa's death in December 2016 the state went through a period of political change, from the Marina jallikattu protests of 2017 and the Thoothukudi police firing of 2018 to the death of Karunanidhi the same year.
The DMK returned to power under M. K. Stalin in 2021. In 2026 the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam led by Vijay became the largest party and formed the first government in decades led by neither the DMK nor the AIADMK.
125 events, 2017 to 2026; 8 marked as turning points.
2017
Tamil Thalaivas join the Pro Kabaddi League
When the Pro Kabaddi League grew to twelve teams for its fifth season, Tamil Nadu gained a franchise of its own.
Pro-jallikattu protests at Marina Beach
Mass protests led largely by students and youth at Marina Beach forced an ordinance and then a state law allowing jallikattu.
Ennore oil spill after tanker collision
Two tankers collided off Kamarajar Port in Ennore, and the resulting oil spill spread along the north Chennai coast.
Neduvasal protests against hydrocarbon extraction
Villagers of Neduvasal in Pudukkottai district protested against a central plan to extract hydrocarbons from farmland.
Sasikala convicted; Edappadi K. Palaniswami becomes Chief Minister
After the Supreme Court restored V. K. Sasikala's conviction, AIADMK legislators chose Edappadi K. Palaniswami as Chief Minister.
Kodanad estate robbery and murder
A watchman was killed during a break-in at the Kodanad tea estate in the Nilgiris, a retreat used by J. Jayalalithaa.
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam memorial opens at Rameswaram
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the DRDO-built memorial to A. P. J. Abdul Kalam at Peikarumbu, Rameswaram.
The Palaniswami and Panneerselvam factions of the AIADMK reunited, with Panneerselvam becoming Deputy Chief Minister.
Death of S. Anitha and the NEET protests
Dalit student S. Anitha, who had challenged NEET in the Supreme Court, died by suicide, triggering protests across the state.
Cyclone Ockhi strikes Kanyakumari
Cyclone Ockhi caused heavy damage in Kanyakumari district and many fishermen out at sea were lost.
2018
Supreme Court final verdict on Cauvery waters
The Supreme Court reduced Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery water slightly and ordered a scheme for implementation, leading to the Cauvery Water Management Authority.
Kamal Haasan founds Makkal Needhi Maiam
Actor Kamal Haasan launched the Makkal Needhi Maiam party at a public meeting in Madurai.
Amma Two-Wheeler scheme for working women
Prime Minister Modi launched a 50 percent subsidy, up to Rs. 25,000, for working women buying scooters, on Jayalalithaa's 70th birth anniversary.
T. T. V. Dhinakaran founds the AMMK
Expelled AIADMK leader T. T. V. Dhinakaran launched the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam at Melur as a breakaway party.
Thoothukudi anti-Sterlite police firing
Police fired on protesters marching against the Sterlite copper smelter in Thoothukudi, killing 13 people; the state ordered the plant closed.
Chennai Super Kings win the IPL on return from suspension
In their first season back after a two-year suspension, Chennai Super Kings beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in the IPL final.
Cauvery Water Management Authority constituted
Following the Supreme Court's final Cauvery verdict, the Union government created the Cauvery Water Management Authority.
R. Praggnanandhaa becomes a grandmaster at twelve
Aged 12 years and 10 months, R. Praggnanandhaa of Chennai became a grandmaster, at that time the second-youngest ever.
Former Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi died in Chennai and was buried at Marina Beach after a High Court ruling.
M. K. Stalin elected DMK president
M. K. Stalin was elected unopposed as president of the DMK, succeeding his father M. Karunanidhi.
Cyclone Gaja devastates the Cauvery delta
Cyclone Gaja crossed the coast near Vedaranyam, killing dozens and destroying coconut groves, homes and boats in the delta districts.
2019
Erode turmeric gets a geographical indication
The Government of India recognised Erode turmeric (Erode manjal) as a geographical indication.
Palani panchamirtham gets geographical indication
Palani Murugan temple's panchamirtham offering was the first temple prasadam in Tamil Nadu to receive a GI tag.
Tamil Nadu bans single-use plastics
The Tamil Nadu government's ban on plastic carry bags and other single-use plastic items came into force on 1 January 2019.
D. Gukesh becomes a grandmaster at twelve
Aged 12 years, 7 months and 17 days, Chennai's D. Gukesh earned the grandmaster title, at that point the second-youngest ever to do so.
Second Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet
The Palaniswami government held the second Global Investors Meet in Chennai, facilitating 304 MoUs worth about Rs 3 lakh crore.
Pollachi sexual assault and extortion case
Arrests in Pollachi exposed a gang accused of sexually assaulting and blackmailing many women, causing statewide outrage and protests.
DMK alliance sweeps 2019 Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu
The DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance won 38 of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu.
After a failed monsoon, Chennai's main reservoirs dried up, forcing heavy reliance on tankers and water brought by train from Jolarpet.
Keezhadi excavation report dates Sangam-era settlement
The Tamil Nadu archaeology department reported that finds at Keezhadi near Madurai date to about the 6th century BCE.
Modi and Xi Jinping hold informal summit at Mamallapuram
Among the Pallava monuments of Mamallapuram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Chinese President Xi Jinping for an informal summit.
Tamil Nadu Day first observed on 1 November
The Palaniswami government began observing 1 November as Tamil Nadu Day; in 2022 the DMK government moved it to 18 July.
Tenkasi district carved out of Tirunelveli
On 22 November 2019, Tenkasi district was carved out of Tirunelveli district.
Kallakurichi, announced on 8 January 2019 as the 33rd district, came into existence on 26 November 2019.
Vellore district trifurcated into Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupattur
Ranipet and Tirupattur districts, carved out of Vellore district, were officially declared on 28 November 2019.
Chengalpattu district carved out of Kanchipuram
Chengalpattu district, taking in Chennai's southern suburbs, came into existence on 29 November 2019.
2020
Cauvery delta declared a protected special agricultural zone
Tamil Nadu declared the Cauvery delta a protected special agricultural zone, barring new hydrocarbon and similar projects.
COVID-19 pandemic reaches Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu reported its first COVID-19 case in March 2020; the pandemic brought lockdowns and two severe waves.
Mayiladuthurai district carved out of Nagapattinam
Mayiladuthurai became the 38th district of Tamil Nadu, ending the discontiguous shape of Nagapattinam district.
Sathankulam custodial deaths of Jayaraj and Bennix
A father and son detained by Sathankulam police during the lockdown died after being beaten in custody, causing national outrage.
7.5 percent medical seat quota for government school students
The Governor assented to a law reserving 7.5 percent of medical seats for students who studied in government schools.
Cyclone Nivar makes landfall near Marakkanam
Cyclone Nivar crossed the north Tamil Nadu coast near Marakkanam, flooding parts of Chennai during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Palaniswami inaugurated 630 'Amma mini clinics' for basic health checks, part of a plan for 2,000 clinics across the state.
2021
Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary notified
The brackish Kazhuveli lake in Villupuram district, linked to the sea by the Uppukalli creek, was notified as a bird sanctuary.
Rs. 12,110 crore cooperative crop loan waiver
Ahead of the 2021 election, Palaniswami waived crop loans from cooperative banks for about 16 lakh farmers after cyclones damaged crops.
Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve created
The Srivilliputhur and Megamalai forests were notified as India's 51st tiger reserve and Tamil Nadu's fifth.
Ungal Thoguthiyil Muthalamaichar grievance department
The new DMK government set up a department to resolve within 100 days the petitions Stalin had collected during his election campaign.
DMK wins 2021 election; M. K. Stalin becomes Chief Minister
The DMK-led alliance won the 2021 Assembly election and M. K. Stalin was sworn in as Chief Minister for the first time.
Free bus travel for women in town buses
Among his first orders as Chief Minister, M. K. Stalin made travel free for women in ordinary state-run town buses.
Bhavani Devi becomes India's first Olympic fencer
At Tokyo 2020, C. A. Bhavani Devi of Chennai became the first fencer from India to qualify for and take part in the Olympics.
Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam doorstep healthcare launched
The state launched a doorstep healthcare scheme for screening and treating non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Priests of all castes appointed to state temples
The government appointed trained archakas from many castes, including non-Brahmins, to temples under the HR and CE department.
Kumbakonam upgraded to a municipal corporation
On 24 August 2021, Kumbakonam, which had been a municipality since 1866, became a municipal corporation.
Ford ends car manufacturing in India
Ford announced it would stop manufacturing in India, leading to the closure of its car plant near Chennai.
Assembly passes NEET exemption bill
The Assembly passed a bill to admit students to medical courses on Class 12 marks instead of NEET, and re-passed it after the Governor returned it.
Kalaignarin Varumun Kappom health camps relaunched
Stalin revived the Varumun Kappom preventive health camps of Karunanidhi's time, with 1,250 camps a year across the state.
A volunteer-led programme was launched to help school children recover learning lost during COVID-19 school closures.
Helicopter crash near Coonoor kills General Bipin Rawat
An Indian Air Force Mi-17V-5 crashed in the Nilgiris, killing Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, his wife and 12 others.
Innuyir Kaappom: free emergency care for accident victims
The state began paying for the first 48 hours of emergency treatment of all road accident victims in Tamil Nadu, including in private hospitals.
2022
Tamil Nadu launches Project Nilgiri Tahr
The state launched a conservation programme for its state animal, the Nilgiri tahr, covering grassland restoration, radio-collaring and monitoring.
Naan Mudhalvan skill development scheme launched
Naan Mudhalvan, a state scheme offering students skills training and career guidance, set out to reach about 10 lakh young people annually.
Several Tamil Nadu wetlands designated Ramsar sites
Pallikaranai marsh, Karikili and Vedanthangal bird sanctuaries and other Tamil Nadu wetlands were added to the list of Ramsar sites.
Edappadi K. Palaniswami takes control of the AIADMK
The AIADMK general council made Edappadi K. Palaniswami interim general secretary and expelled O. Panneerselvam.
Violence at Kaniyamoor school over student's death
Protests over the death of a Class 12 student at a private residential school in Kallakurichi district turned violent.
44th Chess Olympiad in Mamallapuram
India hosted the Chess Olympiad for the first time, at Mamallapuram near Chennai, with Tamil Nadu organising it at short notice.
Pudhumai Penn scheme for college girls
The state began paying Rs. 1,000 a month to girls from government schools who go on to higher education.
Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme launched
Free breakfast for children in government primary schools began in Madurai and was later extended to all government primary schools.
India's first slender loris sanctuary notified at Kadavur
Tamil Nadu notified about 118 square km of forest at Kadavur as India's first sanctuary for the slender loris.
Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary notified
About 686 square km of forest along the Kaveri was notified as Tamil Nadu's 17th wildlife sanctuary.
Vengaivayal drinking water tank contamination
Human faeces were found in an overhead water tank serving Dalit families in Vengaivayal village of Pudukkottai district.
2023
Governor R. N. Ravi walks out of the Assembly
Governor R. N. Ravi left the Assembly after it resolved to record only the government-prepared address, which he had departed from.
Keezhadi heritage museum opens
A museum displaying finds from the Keezhadi excavations was opened near the site in Sivaganga district.
Supreme Court upholds Tamil Nadu's jallikattu law
A five-judge Constitution Bench upheld the Tamil Nadu law that allowed jallikattu to be held after the 2017 protests.
Minister V. Senthil Balaji arrested by the ED
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Electricity Minister V. Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case linked to a cash-for-jobs scam.
Kalaignar Centenary Library opens in Madurai
A large state-run public library named after M. Karunanidhi was opened in Madurai.
Praggnanandhaa reaches the Chess World Cup final
At the Chess World Cup in Baku, R. Praggnanandhaa, aged eighteen, came second to Magnus Carlsen and earned a Candidates place.
Nanguneri attack on Dalit student and his sister
A 17-year-old Dalit student and his sister were attacked with sickles at home in Nanguneri by schoolmates from dominant castes.
India win the Asian Champions Trophy hockey in Chennai
India won a record fourth men's Asian Champions Trophy at home in Chennai, beating Malaysia 4-3 in the final.
Udhayanidhi Stalin's remarks on Sanatana Dharma
Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's call to eradicate Sanatana Dharma drew national controversy and court cases.
Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai launched
The state began paying Rs. 1,000 a month to more than a crore women heads of families.
Passenger ferry between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai begins
A high-speed passenger ferry began sailing between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka's Jaffna district.
R. Vaishali becomes a grandmaster
By passing the 2500 rating mark, Chennai's Vaishali qualified as India's third woman grandmaster, alongside her brother Praggnanandhaa.
Cyclone Michaung floods Chennai
Very heavy rain from Cyclone Michaung flooded large parts of Chennai and neighbouring districts.
Floods in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli
Record rainfall flooded Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts as the Thamirabarani river overflowed.
Ammonia leaked from a subsea pipeline of a fertiliser plant at Ennore, sending dozens of residents of fishing villages to hospital.
Actor and DMDK founder Vijayakanth, a former Leader of the Opposition, died in Chennai.
Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus opens at Kilambakkam
To ease pressure on Koyambedu, a new long-distance bus terminus was opened at Kilambakkam on the southern fringe of Chennai.
2024
Kalaignar Kanavu Illam housing scheme
A rural housing scheme announced in the 2024-25 budget aimed to build eight lakh concrete houses and make Tamil Nadu hut-free by 2030.
Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024
The DMK government held the third Global Investors Meet in Chennai, focusing on electronics, electric vehicles and renewable energy.
Vijay founds Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam
Film actor Vijay launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, announcing he would leave cinema for politics.
R. Ashwin takes his 500th Test wicket
During the Rajkot Test against England, Chennai off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin reached 500 Test wickets, only the second Indian to do so.
Foundation of ISRO's Kulasekarapattinam launch complex
ISRO's second spaceport, for small satellite launch vehicles, was launched at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district.
DMK alliance wins all 39 Lok Sabha seats
The DMK-led INDIA bloc won all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu; the AIADMK and BJP, contesting separately, won none.
Kallakurichi illicit liquor deaths
Methanol-laced illicit liquor killed more than 60 people in Kallakurichi district.
Murder of BSP state president K. Armstrong
Prominent Dalit leader K. Armstrong, who headed the Bahujan Samaj Party in Tamil Nadu, was hacked to death near his house in Chennai.
Tamil Pudhalvan scheme for college boys
Stalin launched Rs. 1,000 a month for boys from government schools who go on to higher education, modelled on Pudhumai Penn.
Night street race on the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit
A street circuit around Island Grounds in Chennai staged a round of the Indian Racing League alongside the F4 Indian Championship.
Samsung workers strike at Sriperumbudur
About 1,500 workers at Samsung's Sriperumbudur plant struck for over a month, seeking recognition of their CITU-backed union.
Udhayanidhi Stalin becomes Deputy Chief Minister
Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of M. K. Stalin, was elevated as Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Cyclone Fengal brings record rain to Viluppuram
Cyclone Fengal crossed the coast near Puducherry and caused extreme rainfall, flooding and a landslide in northern Tamil Nadu.
D. Gukesh becomes world chess champion
Chennai's Gukesh Dommaraju defeated Ding Liren in Singapore to become the youngest undisputed world chess champion.
Anna University campus sexual assault case
A student was sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus; the sole accused was convicted and sentenced to life in 2025.
Glass bridge links Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock
A glass-floored pedestrian bridge over the sea linking the Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock Memorial was opened at Kanyakumari.
2025
Sivagalai finds push back the dating of iron in Tamil Nadu
Radiometric dates from Sivagalai in a state report pushed iron use in Tamil Nadu back to 3345 BCE, a claim that sparked broad debate.
Dispute over NEP, three-language policy and school funds
Tamil Nadu refused to sign the PM SHRI agreement or adopt the three-language formula, and the Union withheld Samagra Shiksha funds.
Mudhalvar Marundhagam low-cost pharmacies
Stalin inaugurated 1,000 'Chief Minister's pharmacies' selling generic and other medicines at discounts of up to 75 percent.
Joint Action Committee on fair delimitation meets in Chennai
Chief Ministers and leaders from several states met in Chennai at Stalin's call to oppose delimitation based only on population.
India's first vertical lift sea bridge, linking Rameswaram island to the mainland, replaced the 1914 Pamban Bridge.
Supreme Court rules against Governor's withholding of bills
The Supreme Court held that Governor R. N. Ravi acted illegally in withholding assent to ten re-passed bills and set timelines for Governors.
Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam for artisans
Tamil Nadu launched its own credit-linked subsidy scheme for artisans in about 25 trades after declining to join the PM Vishwakarma scheme.
Life sentences in the Pollachi sexual assault case
All nine accused in the Pollachi case were found guilty by a Mahila court in Coimbatore and given life imprisonment.
Custodial death of temple guard Ajith Kumar
Temple watchman Ajith Kumar died after being held by police in Sivaganga district over a theft complaint; the case went to the CBI.
Ungaludan Stalin service camps
Stalin launched 10,000 camps to deliver over 40 government services and take petitions at people's doorsteps, starting in Chidambaram.
Nalam Kaakkum Stalin health camps
Health screening camps covering many medical specialties were rolled out across Tamil Nadu by Chief Minister Stalin.
Thayumanavar doorstep ration delivery
Ration items began to be delivered to the homes of over 21 lakh senior citizens above 70 and persons with disabilities.
Anbu Karangal support for orphaned children
The state began paying Rs. 2,000 a month to children who have lost their parents, to support their schooling.
Karur crowd crush at TVK rally
A crowd crush at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam campaign rally addressed by Vijay in Karur killed 41 people.
2026
Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme announced
State employees were promised an assured pension of half their last-drawn pay by the Stalin government, a scheme close to the old pension.
Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil free laptops for college students
Stalin launched a scheme to distribute 20 lakh laptops to students of government colleges, with 10 lakh in the first phase.
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam reaches criticality
India's 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality on 6 April 2026.
TVK government's cooperative crop loan waiver
Cooperative crop loans taken from May 2025 to February 2026 were waived by the Vijay government, a relief that eventually reached 14.43 lakh farmers.
TVK wins most seats in 2026; Vijay becomes Chief Minister
In its first election the TVK became the largest party with 108 seats, and C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister with the support of allies.
Vijay government's first orders
On taking office, Chief Minister Vijay signed orders on free household electricity, a women's safety task force and anti-narcotics police stations.
Parandur airport project dropped
Chief Minister Vijay announced in the Assembly that the proposed second Chennai airport at Parandur would be scrapped and a new site sought.
Vettri Payanam expands free bus travel for women
Free bus travel for women was widened by the Vijay government to express and deluxe services, without any income ceiling or cap on journeys.